Gateshead Salvation Army Toy Appeal supports 500 children this Christmas
Hundreds of children across Gateshead had something to open on Christmas morning thanks to donations made to The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.
Every year Salvation Army churches ask people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.
This year, The Salvation Army in Gateshead distributed gifts to 480 of the most vulnerable children in the city.
They also gave out toothbrushes, toothpaste, school uniforms and pencil and pen sets.
Ann Humes, Community Lead at Gateshead Salvation Army, which is led by Captain Tony Kakande, said: “Thanks to a phenomenal effort from people who donated to our appeal and to those who gave up their time to sort through and distribute gifts, we were able to ensure 480 children had presents to open on Christmas morning.
“Our church in Sunderland Road is in one of the most deprived council wards in the UK, so the support our appeal gives to families who are struggling to put food on the table let alone find the budget for Christmas presents is vital.
“Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and hope but it can often be a struggle when financial worries are brought into sharp focus, but thanks to your donations, we’ve been able to relieve that pressure and ensure that the most vulnerable children across the city had something to open on Christmas morning.
"Thank you to all of you who contributed, we couldn’t do it without you. God well and truly answered our prayers.”
With one in three children in Gateshead having experienced tooth decay, the church and charity also gave out hundreds of toothbrushes and toothpastes, as well as pens and pencils for school.
Ann continued: “One of our younger church members mentioned that some of his classmates do not have pens and pencils, which they have to provide for themselves, so we also included a small pen and pencil set ready for when they go back to school in January.”
Volunteers from the community, Newcastle University, Siemens and the Civil Service helped ensure the gift parcels were ready to be collected by agencies such as social services, schools and family workers to distribute to the most vulnerable families.
For more information on Gateshead Salvation Army visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/gateshead.